Taygen, I just brought you home from the hospital after carrying you in my tummy. You were safe and warm inside my tummy. I was just rocking you in your rocker and reading to you before I laid you in your crib. You just learned how to walk. I was just sitting on your bed reading you a bedtime book while you sat on my lap and were repeating the words after me. Now, you are such a big girl and can ready by yourself. Now, I let you read to me while I lay on your bed. We sing bedtime songs while I lay in your bed. We talk about your day and have our own girls days. You've already had your first sleep over at a friend's house. You don't like boys because you think some of them are too mean. Not all boys are mean and I hope you meet the nicest boy ever! Sometimes, you let me hold you and rock you still, but other times you want to be left alone. Sometimes, I miss the days where I can just pick you up, hold you all day and you will fall asleep in my arms. You are growing up to be such a smart, sweet, stubborn, funny, strong willed little lady. I like that you are strong willed because you will not take crap from anyone, not even your mom or dad. ;) Taygen, stay the way you are and never change. You are 6 years old and graduating kindergarten. You are my youngest and I am so proud of you. I know how much you love school and you make your teachers so proud. You are making so many friends in school and you are not afraid to make new friends. I remember when you told me that there was going to be a new girl in your class and you were arguing (like little kids do) with some of the other girls in your class about who was going to sit by her, who was going to show her around the classroom and who was going to take her to the bathroom. You always make everyone feel welcome and love helping people out. When you grow up you want to be a veterinarian. You love making animals (and people) feel better. You make mommy and daddy so proud of you. You accomplish more than I have ever imagined you would. You are so smart and teach other kids your age something new everyday. I can't wait to see what the rest of the years bring you. I love you, Taygen! Love, Mommy and daddy

August 13, 2014

Aden,

Hey, little man. Yes, I called you little. You will always be little to me. You will always be my little man, no matter how old you get.

Oh, Aden. You are going to kindergarten. I'm going to miss you during the day. You are going to miss our lunch dates with Taygen. I'm going to miss our reading dates.

You are getting so big. It's hard to believe you are going to kindergarten already. I'm not going to have my little man of the house any more when daddy is at work. Taygen is going to miss her little partner in crime.

I hope you will be okay in school. I will be worried about you. I have been able to keep you safe at home with me, but you are going out into the big world where some kids are just not nice. Some kids are very nice and I hope you find those kids. I hope the teachers are nice to you. I hope they are patient with you. I told your teacher about your stutter and that she should be patient with you. I hope she is. Slow down when you talk, look the teachers in the eye and you will be ok. I hope the kids are nice and patient with you when you can't get your words out. I hope they don't laugh at you. I hope they understand.  I hope you make a lot of friends. I hope the kids are nice to you. I worry about you. You are a follower and I'm afraid that you will follow the wrong kinds of kids. You know the difference between right and wrong. You are also a sweet little boy who will take care of all the girls. :) I hope you are nice to the kids. I know you will be, but when someone isn't nice to you, you fight back. I hope you walk away when someone is mean to you. You are a really neat, polite, wonderful, handsome little man and I think all the kids will really like you.

   Here's a little poem for you..

You Started School Today

While you were walking down the hall

you looked like such a big boy.

As I walked beside you, You looked so tall

I saw the look on your face of excitement, worry, fear, and joy.

 

I looked down and took your hand

as I wiped my tears away.

I hope you understand

You will be with me at the end of the day.

 

I'll give you one more kiss

and you'll be on your way

so you won't miss

me while you play

 

You Started School Today

-Amber Weyer

 



You might get lonely, but just remember the kiss that I gave you on your cheek (I know, ewww mom!)  and then you can think of me all day. Just like the 'Kissing Hand' book.

I love you, little man. Hope you have a good day.

Here is a passage and a prayer for you to get you through your first day of school and all the other days you might struggle with.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

Dear God,
Please help Aden through out the day as he might struggle with reading, writing, meeting new friends. I hope his day is filled with joy and new beginnings. God, please keep him safe. Please help the teachers to understand his stuttering and please help the teachers be patient as he tries to talk to them.
Amen!

Small Wishes is a service that I created for Child Guidance Center. This service is for kids who do  not get much for Christmas. It is like a Christmas gift tree where the kids write their names, ages and what they want/need for Christmas.

I created this service because my Sunday School kids needed a mission project to do over the Holidays and I thought of Child Guidance Center because I used to work there as a therapist and knew that they needed something like this. As the Director of my Sunday School at Southern Heights Presbyterian Church, I thought this would be a good idea for the kiddos. The kids will take these papers with their names, ages and gift idea, go buy their item and give it to them. I can't wait to see the look on all the kids' faces when they give/receive the gifts.

Child Guidance center is a place where children go to help with their mental health issues. The kids work with counselors and therapists with a daily extended day program designed for ages 5-11.

Taygen is 3 years old and in her first year of preschool. 

I was sad, but happy at the same time. I am a stay at home mom, so for her to get instructions from someone else and be able to listen to another person is really important. I was sad the first day.. She got upset when I left her at school. The second day she did a lot better! I was sad and happy at the same time on the second day. She put her backpack away then sat down on her spot, like a big girl. I was so proud of her for not getting upset, but at the same time I was sad because she didn't give me a hug or anything. But she's in good hands and loves it, so I feel much better! 

This is Aden's second year of preschool. That means he will be going to kindergarten next Fall :(. He's getting to be such a big boy!

He just had his 5th birthday on the 9th of September. It just doesn't seem like he can be 5 already! Oh well, better enjoy them little while I can. I hear it goes super fast. 

Keira started 1st grade a couple weeks ago! She really likes it. She does have homework every night, but she loves doing work. 

There are a couple boys that she likes. Oh boy! Am I in trouble... I should say her dad is in trouble! ;) 

Here are my 10 ideas for celebrating Spring and ringing in the Spring Season.

Spring is my favorite season. It's not too hot and it's not too cool. My most favorite part of the season is doing/redoing the landscaping and just making my yard look fresh for the season.

1. Organize, organize, organize

     Be creative! Reuse old things or paint some old items a new color

2. Spend time with a friend

      Everyone needs their day to catch up on things. Why not use this time to get to know your friend more.

3. Have your first Spring picnic outside

     You are cooped up inside all Winter. Why not have fun and have your first picnic of the Season.

4. Update your house with Spring colors

     The Spring colors will make your house fresh, relaxing and it could have a calming affect ;)

5. Hang your clothes out to dry.

     Brings back memories of hot summer days

6. Work on your landscape

     Makes the house feel new and more welcoming

7. Clean out your closet

    Hardest job for me, but I feel so much better after I do this.

8. Patio furniture out

     Almost makes you have to sit outside ;)

9. Spring Crafts with the kids

    Kids love doing crafts, why not make a flower centerpiece?

10. Throw a Spring themed party.

     We all need a reason to get friends together, right?

I know it may feel like Spring will never get here (hint, hint Spring get here!) 

If you are anything like me, you love to clean. I Spring clean in the Winter, just to have an excuse to clean out the closets or organize.

I will give you some helpful tips that will help make Spring cleaning easier...hopefully ;)

• Make it easier on your self and do one room at a time
• Make a detailed list of what needs to be done in each room. It makes you feel less overwhelmed when you walk into that specific room.
• Break the cleaning down between 2 days
• Do the upstairs rooms (bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, etc.) the first day and the downstairs rooms (kitchen, living room, family room, etc.) the second day, or visa versa
• When working in the kitchen, wash all appliances (big and small) with soap and water
• Organize kitchen cupboards. Most people don't think about this. When most people think about organizing, they think of closets, so most people miss this step
• Wash all blinds and curtains
• Wash windows while you have the blinds and curtains down (a lot easier)
• Dust every crevasse
• Wash jackets/coats and hang them in your coat closet
• Clean out closets and put Winter/Fall clothes away or get rid of anything you don't use anymore
• Open the windows and just let the air in 
• Wash your door mats or buy more Spring like colored mats
• While you are vacuuming your floors also vacuum your couch and chairs 
• Put away all comforters and heavy blankets. Make sure you wash them before you store them
• If you have a curio cabinet or if you have shelves, update them with Spring colors and items
• I also rearrange my furniture in most of the rooms. When rearranging furniture make sure you do not put furniture in front of large windows. This lets you open your curtains, letting the natural light and fresh in. 

The most important part is, don't stress about it, have fun with it. Look at it as a whole new beginning for your house. You can make it fresh, bright and feel new again. 

Anytime I clean, whether it be Spring cleaning or just my weekly cleaning duties, I always have my music on. It makes the time go faster and I have more fun that way. I love opening up all the windows and front door and just let the fresh air in. It makes it brighter and makes your house seem bigger. Another fun part is when I let my kids help. The kids get so excited about helping. Yes, they have their own daily chores, (making beds, picking up their floors, picking up toys off the floor) but it makes them feel more important when they have more responsibility. They love to dust and dance around to the music.